Tip part for a vision device

ABSTRACT

A tip part for an endoscope has a vision receptor having a vision sensor for providing an image from received light, a first lens, and a casing, the casing supporting the first lens so that the casing substantially maintains a position of the first lens in relation to the vision sensor; a first light source; an exterior housing; and a light shield positioned between the vision receptor and the first light source so as to prevent ingress of stray light from the first light source into the vision receptor by optically shielding the vision receptor; wherein the casing is formed integrally with the exterior housing so that the casing also substantially maintains the first lens in a position in relation to the exterior housing.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.16/550,014, filed Aug. 23, 2019, which claims priority from and thebenefit of European Patent Application No. 18190734, filed on Aug. 24,2018, which applications are incorporated herein by reference thereto intheir entirety.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates to vision devices such as, but notlimited to, endotracheal tubes and endoscopes, more specifically to atip part of such a vision device and a vision device such as anendoscope with such a tip part.

BACKGROUND

Vision devices such as endoscopes are well known for visually inspectinginaccessible places such as human body cavities. Typically, theendoscope comprises an elongated insertion tube with a handle at theproximal end, as seen from the operator, and visual inspection means,such as a built-in camera, at the distal end of the elongated insertiontube. This definition of the terms distal and proximal, i.e. proximalbeing the end closest to the operator and distal being the end remotefrom the operator, as used herein for endoscopes in general, is adheredto in the present specification. Electrical wiring for the camera andother electronics, such as LED lighting accommodated in the tip part atthe distal end, run along the inside of the elongated insertion tubefrom the handle to the tip part. Instead of using cameras, endoscopesmay also be fibre-optic, in which case the optical fibres run along theinside of the elongated insertion tube to the tip part. A working orsuction channel may run along the inside of the insertion tube from thehandle to the tip part, e.g. allowing liquid to be removed from the bodycavity or allowing for insertion of surgical instruments or the like,into the body cavity. The suction channel may be connected to a suctionconnector, typically positioned at a handle at the proximal end of theinsertion tube.

In order to be able to manoeuvre the endoscope inside the body cavity,the distal end of the endoscope may comprise a bending section withincreased flexibility, e.g. a number of articulated segments of whichthe tip part forms the distalmost segment. The manoeuvring of theendoscope inside the body is typically done by tensioning or slackingpull wires also running along the inside of the elongated insertion tubefrom the tip part through the remainder of articulated segments to acontrol mechanism of the handle.

As the name indicates, endoscopes are used for seeing inside things,such as lungs or other human body cavities of a patient. Modernendoscopes are therefore typically equipped with a light source and avision receptor including a vision sensor, such as a camera or an imagesensor. Provided that sufficient light is present, it is possible forthe operator to see where the endoscope is steered and to set the targetof interest once the tip has been advanced thereto. This thereforenormally requires illumination of the area in front of the distal tip ofthe endoscope, in particular the field of vision of the camera(s). Thelight source, such as a light emitting diode or an optical fibre, mayprovide illumination.

The illumination from the light source may result in an undesirabledistribution of light, such as overexposure of the sides of the field ofvision and underexposure of the centre of the field of vision, leadingto poor vision quality.

A portion of light emitted from the light source may ingress into thevision sensor without being reflected by an outside object to beinvestigated. This type of light may be known as stray light. Straylight may cause unwanted optical artefacts in the image produced by thevision sensor and may generally reduce the quality of an image producedby the vision sensor.

One drawback is that prior art tip parts for endoscopes are generallylimited to a fixed set of applications. In some new contemplatedapplications, investigating narrow and hard-to-reach body cavities arenecessary. This requires a miniaturisation of the tip part.

Additionally, when, as in the present disclosure, the tip part is alsointended for use in a disposable endoscope, reducing the manufacturingand assembly costs of the tip part are important.

Additionally, when, as in the present disclosure, the insertion tube ofthe endoscope is intended to be inserted into a human body cavity, theinsertion tube furthermore needs to be sealed in a watertight manner.This is in particular the case for the distal tip part as itaccommodates the camera, LED(s) and other delicate electronics, prone tomalfunction or destruction if exposed to humidity.

On this background, it may be seen as an object of the presentdisclosure to provide a tip part mitigating at least some of the abovedrawbacks.

One or more of these objects may be met by the present disclosure asdescribed in the following.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

A tip part for an endoscope and an endoscope including the tip part areprovided. A first aspect of the present disclosure relates to a tip partfor an endoscope. In some embodiments, the tip part comprises a visionreceptor having a vision sensor for providing an image from receivedlight, a first lens, and a casing, the casing supporting the first lensso that the casing substantially maintains a position of the first lensin relation to another lens and/or in relation to the vision sensor; afirst light source; an exterior housing accommodating the visionreceptor and the first light source; a proximal or back end forconnection to other parts of the vision device, such as an insertiontube of an endoscope; a distal or front end for receiving light receivedfrom the object; and a light shield positioned between the visionreceptor and the first light source so as to prevent ingress of straylight from the first light source into the vision receptor by opticallyshielding the vision receptor; wherein the casing is formed integrallywith the exterior housing so that the casing also substantiallymaintains the first lens in a position in relation to the exteriorhousing.

This may provide the advantage that the tip part can be miniaturised asa separate lens barrel is dispensed with. This may enable a number ofdifferent applications for the tip part. For instance, an endoscope withsuch a tip part may be used to investigate more narrow and hard to reachcavities of the human body. The assembly of the tip part may be madesimpler as fewer parts have to be assembled. Additionally, the positionof the lens or lenses in relation to the exterior housing and/or windowmay be controlled more precisely as the casing holding the lens orlenses are fixed in relation to the exterior housing. A tip part of thiskind may also increase the vision quality of the vision sensor as straylight ingressing into the vision receptor is reduced.

Additionally or alternatively, the casing may support the vision sensorso that the casing substantially maintains a position of the visionsensor in relation to the first lens and/or in relation to another lens.The casing may at least partially surround or enclose the first lens,and/or another lens, and/or the vision sensor. The casing may fix theposition of the first lens, and/or another lens, and/or the visionsensor in relation to each other. The casing may extend along a side oran optical axis of the first lens or lenses.

Additionally, the vision receptor may comprise a lens barrel supportedby the casing so that the casing substantially maintains a position ofthe vision sensor in relation to the first lens and/or in relation toanother lens. The casing may at least partially surround or enclose thelens barrel, the first lens, and/or another lens, and/or the visionsensor. The casing may fix the position of the lens barrel, the firstlens, and/or another lens, and/or the vision sensor in relation to eachother. The lens barrel and the casing may extend along a side or anoptical axis of the first lens or lenses. Use of a lens barrel mayfacilitate low-cost assembly of the tip part.

The vision sensor of the vision receptor may be an image sensor. Thevision receptor may comprise a lens or a plurality of lenses potentiallyarranged successively and optionally in the casing. The plurality oflenses may be arranged in front of the vision sensor, potentially sothat an optical axis of the lens, potentially of the plurality oflenses, align or coincide with an optical axis of the vision sensor. Theplurality of lenses may be spaced by at least one spacer, potentially aplurality of spacers. The vision receptor may comprise a printed circuitboard for converting light received by the vision receptor to an image.The exterior housing may accommodate the printed circuit board.

The exterior housing may further comprise an exterior side wall. Theexterior side wall may extend from the distal end of the tip part to theproximal end of the tip part. The exterior side wall may extend from thewindow. The exterior side wall may extend along sides of the visionreceptor and first light source. The exterior side wall may have asubstantially cylindrical shell shape. The exterior side wall and windowmay be integrally formed. The exterior housing, potentially the exteriorside wall of the exterior housing, may form a barrier or border betweenthe exterior of the tip part and the interior of the tip part. Theexterior housing may define an internal volume, in which the visionreceptor and the light source are positioned. The exterior housing mayaccommodate a working channel for supplying fluid to the distal end ofthe tip part, a printed circuit board of the vision receptor, and/or avision sensor of the vision receptor.

The tip part may comprise a working tube potentially forming part of theworking channel of the endoscope. The exterior housing may accommodatethe working tube. The working tube may be sealed in relation to theexterior housing, potentially so that fluid in the working tube may notingress into the interior of the exterior housing.

Additionally or alternatively, the light source or light source(s) maybe a light fibre(s) and/or light emitting diode(s).

The first lens may form part of a plurality of lenses arrangedsuccessively in the casing. The first lens or the plurality of lensesmay be chosen to provide suitable optical characteristics for the visionsensor. The type of the first lens or the plurality of lenses may beselected from the group consisting of: plano-concave, piano-convex,bi-concave, bi-convex, positive meniscus, negative meniscus, fresnel,wafer, or any other suitable lens type.

The tip part may comprise a second light source. The second light sourcemay be provided similarly as the first light source. The second lightsource may be positioned on an opposite side of the vision receptor inrelation to the first light source.

The window may have different shapes, such as circular, half-moonshaped. The window may comprise a plurality of window elements. Thewindow elements may abut each other. The window elements may be fixed toeach other, potentially by gluing or welding. The window may preferablybe integrally formed in one piece.

Additionally or alternatively, the window may be a front window,potentially allowing the vision receptor to receive image informationfrom the front of the tip part. The exterior surface of the window maybe an exterior front surface.

Additionally or alternatively, the window may be a side window, forinstance when the endoscope is a duodenum endoscope. The side window mayallow the vision receptor to receive image information from a side,potentially from a radial direction, of the tip part. The exteriorsurface of the window may be an exterior side surface.

Additionally or alternatively, the window may comprise a front windowand a side window.

Additionally or alternatively, the light shield may consist essentiallyof a light shielding material. The light shielding material may be asubstantially opaque, and potentially black, material. The lightshielding material may be an opaque polymer.

In this specification, stray light may be defined as light emitted froma light source, which ingresses into a vision receptor before beingreflected by an outside or investigated object, for instance by internalreflections in the window. This may cause unwanted optical artefacts inthe image produced by the vision receptor.

In this specification, a lens may be defined as a device with curvedsurfaces having the ability to focus, collimate, or disperse lightpropagating through curved surfaces of the lens.

In this specification, the term “in front of” when referring to theposition of an element relative to an optical device, such as a lens, avision receptor, and/or a light source, the element may be understood tobe positioned so that the optical device has an optical effect on theelement. For instance, a lens positioned in front of a light source maybe understood so that the lens is positioned so that light emitted fromthe light source propagates directly through the lens.

In this specification, the term “to accommodate” may additionally oralternatively be defined as “to house” or “to enclose” or “to surround”.For instance, the exterior housing may enclose or surround the visionreceptor and/or the light source.

In this specification, the terms “integrally” or “integrally provided”or “integrally comprising” or similar may be defined as the associatedfeatures forms an integral part of a whole; and/or be moulded in onepiece; and/or be substantially inseparable by hand.

In this specification, the term “proximal” may be defined as beingclosest to the operator and the term “distal” as being remote from theoperator. The term “proximal-distal axis” may be defined as an axisextending between these two extremes, in the present case theproximal-distal axis may be a centre axis of the tip part extendingbetween a proximal extremity of the proximal end of the tip part and adistal extremity of the distal end of the tip part. A front part of thetip part may be distally oriented and a back or rear part of the tippart may be proximally oriented.

In this specification, the distal end of the tip part should not beconstrued to only comprise the most distal extremity of the tip part,rather the term “distal end of the tip part” should be understood as aportion of the tip part being distally positioned, e.g. a remainingportion of the tip part relative to the proximal or back end and/or aportion of the tip part for not being connected to other parts of theendoscope and/or a distally located half of the tip part. In someembodiments, the window may be a side window positioned at the distal orfront end of the tip part.

In this specification, the term “interior” may be defined as beingpositioned in an interior space of the tip part, and the term “exterior”may be defined as being positioned in an exterior space of the tip partor as not being positioned in an interior space of the tip part.

In this specification, an endoscope may be defined as a device adaptedfor viewing bodily cavities and/or channels of a human and/or animalbody. The endoscope may for instance be a conventional flexible orsteerable endoscope or a rigid endoscope or an endotracheal tubepotentially provided with a camera and light source for ensuring thecorrect position of the endotracheal tube, for instance a laryngoscope.The endoscope may be a duodenum endoscope.

The tip part may alternatively be for a medical vision device, such asan endoscope.

Additionally or alternatively, the casing and/or the light shield may atleast partially surround(s) the vision receptor.

This may provide the advantage of reducing the amount of stray lightingressing into the vision receptor.

Additionally or alternatively, the casing and/or the light shield may atleast partially surround(s) or encase(s) or enclose(s) the visionreceptor, potentially the first lens or the plurality of lenses or thevision sensor. The casing and the light shield may at least partiallyenclose the first lens and the vision sensor.

Additionally or alternatively, the casing and/or light shield is/areU-shaped, potentially so as to at least partially encase the visionreceptor.

Additionally or alternatively, the light shield may be separate from thecasing.

This may provide the advantage that the properties of the light shieldmay be chosen more independently of the properties of the casing, forinstance the material of the light shield.

The light shield may be provided as a cover for the casing. The covermay comprise a sleeve slidable over the casing. The sleeve may be madefrom an opaque layer of material including polymers, paper and the like.

Additionally or alternatively, the light shield may be a light shieldinglayer provided on the casing.

Additionally or alternatively, the light shield may be comprised by thecasing, by forming the casing from an opaque material.

This may provide a particularly simple way of providing the lightshield.

The light shielding layer may consist essentially of a substantiallyopaque, and potentially black, material. The light shielding layer maybe provided as an at least partial cladding or coating on the casing.The light shielding layer may be provided as a hardened opaque glue onthe casing. Such a light shielding layer may enable use of a transparentexterior housing and casing. The light shielding layer may be providedas a hardened opaque glue on the inside of the casing, which glue mayaffix a lens barrel.

Additionally or alternatively, the casing and the light shield may beintegrally formed or be in one piece.

This may provide a particularly simple way of manufacturing the tippart.

The exterior housing and the casing may essentially consist of the lightshielding material. The exterior housing and the casing may be formed asa one-piece part by a two component moulding process, so that the casingconsists essentially of the light shielding material and the exteriorhousing consists essentially of a different material.

Additionally or alternatively, the exterior housing may comprise anexterior surface positioned at the distal end of the tip part, wherein adistal end of the light shield may be arranged substantially flush withthe exterior surface. The exterior surface may be the surface of a frontwall of the exterior housing.

By having the light shield extend so that it is at least arrangedsubstantially flush with the exterior surface, the amount of stray lightpotentially ingressing into the vision receptor may be reduced, thusimproving the image quality provided by the vision receptor.

The light shield may form an integral part of the casing, so that adistal end of the casing is arranged substantially flush with theexterior surface. Additionally or alternatively, the distal end of thelight shield may extend further distally than the exterior surface. Thedistal end of the light shield and/or casing may form part of theexterior surface of the exterior housing.

Additionally or alternatively, a distal end of the casing and/or thelight shield extend(s) through the window so as to be positioned atleast substantially flush with, potentially further distal than, theexterior surface of the exterior housing or of the window.

Additionally or alternatively, a distal end of the casing and/or thelight shield may be positioned substantially flush with thesubstantially planar exterior surface of the window.

Additionally or alternatively, the casing and/or light shield maycomprise a distal segment positioned at a distal end of the casing. Thedistal segment may be embedded in the window. This may provide theadvantage that the distal segment prevents internal reflections in thewindow from reaching the vision receptor.

Additionally or alternatively, the exterior housing may comprise awindow comprising the exterior surface and being positioned at thedistal end of the tip part, the window consisting essentially,potentially being of, a transparent material so that light received fromthe object can pass through the window to the vision receptor, and sothat light emitted from the first light source can pass through thewindow to the exterior, the exterior surface being positioned at leastpartly in front of the vision receptor and the first light source.

Additionally or alternatively, the exterior housing integrally comprisesthe window. Additionally or alternatively, the window forms part of theexterior housing.

The window may comprise, potentially consist essentially of, atransparent material. A transparent material will be able to transmitsome image information and may potentially be defined as allowing atleast 50% of light entering the window at the exterior surface to passthrough the window. A transparent material will be able to transmit moreimage detail than a translucent material. The transparent material maybe a polymer, glass, plastic polymer, or any other suitable material,e.g. silicone.

Additionally or alternatively, the transparent material is differentfrom the material of the light shield.

Additionally or alternatively, the window may comprise a first lightsource zone able to transmit light emitted from the first light sourceto outside of the tip part. The first light source zone may comprise asubstantially planar first light reception end facing the first lightsource.

Additionally or alternatively, the first light source zone may bepositioned between the exterior surface and the first light source. Thefirst light source zone may have no lens effect.

Additionally or alternatively, the window may comprise a vision receptorzone able to transmit light received from outside the window to thevision receptor, the vision receptor zone potentially comprises asubstantially planar abutment surface facing the front of the visionreceptor.

Additionally or alternatively, the vision receptor zone potentially maybe positioned between the exterior surface and the vision receptor. Thevision receptor zone may have no lens effect.

Additionally or alternatively, the exterior surface may be substantiallyplanar, and/or potentially having no lens effect.

Additionally or alternatively, the exterior housing may comprise a sidewall extending from the window along sides of the vision receptor andthe first light source, the side wall and window being integrally formedor being in one piece.

Additionally or alternatively, the window may comprise, potentiallyconsists essentially of, a first material and the exterior housing maycomprise, potentially consists essentially of, a second, differentmaterial, the window and exterior housing being integrally formedpotentially by a two component moulding process.

Additionally or alternatively, first lens or the plurality of lenses maybe is a wafer lens or wafer lenses.

This may be advantageous since wafer lenses may be provided in anunshielded wafer stack.

Additionally or alternatively, the vision receptor may comprise a lensstack having the first lens and a second lens, the lens stack beingpositioned inside the casing, the second lens being positionedsuccessively in front of the first lens.

Additionally or alternatively, the lens stack may comprise at least onelens spacer positioned between the first and the second lens.

Additionally or alternatively, the casing may abut the vision sensor andthe first lens.

Additionally or alternatively, the casing is in direct contact with thevision receptor and/or the first lens.

Additionally or alternatively, the vision receptor and/or tip part doesnot comprise a separate, and potentially opaque, lens barrel or envelopeconfigured to support the first lens or plurality of lenses.

Additionally or alternatively, an endoscope may comprise a tip partaccording to the first aspect of the present disclosure. The endoscopemay comprise an elongated insertion tube with a handle at the proximalend. The tip part may be positioned at the distal end of the elongatedinsertion tube. The tip part may further comprise a bending sectionpositioned between the tip part and the elongated insertion tube. Thebending section may be configured to articulated, so as to manoeuvre theendoscope inside a body cavity. Brief description of drawings

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present disclosure will now be described in greater detail based onnon-limiting exemplary embodiments and with reference to the drawings,on which:

FIG. 1A shows a perspective view of an endoscope in which a tip partaccording to the present disclosure is implemented,

FIG. 1B shows a perspective view of a first embodiment of a tip partaccording to the present disclosure,

FIG. 2A shows a front view of a distal end of the tip part of FIG. 1B,

FIG. 2B shows a cross-sectional view of the tip part along the line A-Aof FIG. 2A,

FIG. 2C shows a cross-sectional view of the tip part along the line D-Dof FIG. 2B,

FIG. 3A shows a perspective view of a second embodiment of a tip partaccording to the present disclosure,

FIG. 3B shows a front view of the second embodiment of FIG. 3A,

FIG. 4A shows a cross-sectional view of the tip part with a schematicfirst and second lens along the line B-B of FIG. 3A,

FIG. 4B shows a cross-sectional view of the tip part with a schematicfirst and second lens along the line C-C of FIG. 3A,

FIG. 5A shows a perspective of the tip part without a window accordingto the second embodiment,

FIG. 5B shows a cross-sectional view of the tip part along the line E-Eof FIG. 4A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Turning first to FIG. 1A, an endoscope 1 exemplifying the vision deviceaccording to the present disclosure is shown. The endoscope 1 comprisesa handle 2 at the proximal end of the endoscope 1, an insertion tube 3extending towards the distal end of the endoscope 1 where it comprisesan articulated bending section 4, which as the most distal segment has adistal tip part 5 according to the present disclosure. Though omittedfor illustration purposes the articulated bending section 4 willnormally be covered by a suitable sleeve, connected at least at its owndistal end to the distal tip part 5, e.g. by means of an adhesive. Thetip part 5 of the present disclosure is intended as a tip part 5 for adisposable endoscope 1 to be thrown away after use and low manufacturingcosts is therefore an important issue.

FIG. 1B shows a first detailed embodiment of a tip part 5 configured tobe incorporated in the endoscope shown in FIG. 1A. The tip part 5 has aproximal end 5 a for connection to the insertion tube 3 of endoscope 1and a distal end 5 b for receiving light from an object (not shown)located in front of the tip part. The tip part 5 further comprises anexterior housing 8 including a front wall 8 c having an exterior surface10 positioned at the distal end 5 b of the tip part 5, and an exteriorside wall 8 a extending from the front wall 8 c along a proximal-distalaxis PD of the tip part. The wall 8 a and exterior surface 10 areintegrally formed in one piece. The exterior housing 8 forms a barrierbetween the exterior of the tip part 5 and the interior of tip part 5.The exterior side wall 8 a has a substantially cylindrical shell shape.

FIG. 2A shows the position of a first cross-sectional line A-A on thefirst embodiment of the tip part 5 of FIG. 1B.

Turning to FIG. 2B showing cross section A-A, the tip part 5 comprises avision receptor 6 having a vision sensor (not shown) for providing animage from received light, a first lens (not shown), a printed circuitboard 6 e configured for processing the image, and a casing 8 b. Thecasing 8 b supports the first lens and maintains a position of the firstlens in relation to another lens (not shown) and in relation to thevision sensor. The tip part 5 further comprises a first light source 7a, in the form of a light emitting diode, positioned behind a lightguide 12. The light guide 12 may be arranged in a tube of the exteriorhousing and sealed to the exterior housing 8 by hardened glue. The tubeforms a tubular cavity for the light guide and may be molded in onepiece with the casing and the exterior housing, projecting inwardly fromthe front wall 8 c of the exterior housing. Alternatively, the lightguide 12 may be bonded to the bottom of the casing. Alternatively, thelight guide 12 may be formed in a one-piece construct with the exteriorhousing. Reducing the number of parts reduces the cost of the single-usetip part by reducing assembly labor costs. Additionally, the one-piececonstruct eliminates the need to bond the light guide 12 to the tube orthe exterior housing. The exterior housing 8 accommodates and surroundsthe vision receptor 6 and the first light source 7 a. The casing 8 b ispositioned between the vision receptor 6 and the first light source 7 aand may be made of an opaque light shielding material so as to preventingress of stray light from the first light source 7 a into the visionreceptor 6 by optically shielding the vision receptor 6. A small gapbetween the lens barrel 6 f of the vision receptor 6 and the casing 8 bis filled with hardened glue preventing the vision receptor 6 fromsliding in relation to the casing 8 b and providing water tightness soas to seal off the printed circuit board 6 e and other electronics inthe tip part 5. The hardened glue may also perform the light shieldingfunction, e.g. opaque glue. In one variation, the casing 8 b and theexterior housing 8 are molded in one-piece. In another variation, thecasing 8 b, the exterior housing 8, and the light guide 12 are molded inone-piece. In variations including the lens barrel 6 f, the visionreceptor 6 may be attached to the printed circuit board 6 e via theelectrical connections of the vision sensor 6 a and then inserted fromthe rear into the casing 8 b, where it is bonded in place via theadhesive. The vision receptor 6/printed circuit board 6 e assembly maybe inserted forward until the circuit board 6 e abuts the casing 8 b.The lens 6 b and the vision sensor 6 a (not shown) may be fit into thelens barrel 6 f to form the vision receptor 6, wherein the relationshipbetween the lens 6 b and the vision sensor 6 a is fixed. Internalchamfers or slots may be provided in the lens barrel matching, at leastin relevant part, the peripheral shape of the lens and vision sensor. Atransparent window (not shown) may be bonded to the casing 8 b at thefront wall 8 c or the lens barrel 6 f, sealing the lens and imagereceptor therein. The window may part of the vision receptor 6. Inanother examples, the lens barrel is omitted from the vision receptor 6,and the printed circuit board 6 e/vision sensor 6 a are fit to theproximal end of the casing 8 b in the manner previously described. Thelens 6 b is also fit to the casing 8 b, but inserted from the front,therefore the casing 8 b fixes the relationship between the lens 6 b,and any additional lens, and the vision sensor 6 a. Examples of lensesand windows fit to the casing or the front wall of the exterior housingare shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B.

The first light source 7 a is similarly connected to the printed circuitboard 6 e and inserted from the rear into the tubular cavity between thecasing 8 b and the exterior side wall 8 a. In embodiments where thelight tube 12 is not integrally formed in one-piece with the exteriorhousing, the light tube 12 may be inserted in the tubular cavity fromthe front and bonded to exterior housing or the casing.

Turning to FIG. 2C, the exterior housing 8 forms a barrier between theexterior of the tip part 5 and the interior of tip part 5. The casing 8b is formed integrally with the exterior housing 8 so that the casing 8b also substantially maintains the first lens in a position in relationto the exterior housing 8. The casing 8 b supports the vision sensor ofthe vision receptor 6 so that the casing 8 b maintains and fixes aposition of the vision sensor of the vision receptor 6 in relation tothe first lens. The casing 8 b surrounds and encloses the first lens andthe vision sensor of the vision receptor 6.

A second embodiment according to the present disclosure is shown in FIG.3A. In the following, the differences between the first and the secondembodiment will be discussed. Reference numerals will be the same forfeatures present in the first and the second embodiment.

The second embodiment of a tip part 5 is, similarly to the firstembodiment, configured to be incorporated in the endoscope shown in FIG.1A.

The tip part 5 includes a window 9 positioned at the distal end 5 b. Thewindow 9 and the exterior housing 8 are integrally formed in one piece.A front view of the second embodiment is shown in FIG. 3B.

Turning to FIG. 3B showing a front view of the second embodiment, thewindow 9 comprises a first light source zone 9 a and a second lightsource zone 9 b positioned directly in front of the associated lightsource 7 a, 7 b (see FIG. 5A) so as to allow light emitted from thelight sources 7 a, 7 b to propagate outside of the tip part 5. Eachlight source zone 9 a, 9 b includes a substantially planar lightreception end facing the associated light source 7 a, 7 b. The lightsource zones 9 a, 9 b extend from the exterior surface 10 of the window9 to the associated light reception end.

The window 9 comprises a vision receptor zone 9 c positioned directly infront of the first lens 6 a of the vision receptor 6 so as to allowlight to propagate from an object in front of the tip part 5 through thevision receptor zone 9 c to the vision receptor 6. The vision receptorzone 9 c includes a substantially planar abutment surface 9 d facing thefirst lens 6 a. The vision receptor zone 9 c extends from the exteriorsurface 10 of the window 9 to the abutment surface 9 d.

The interior of the second embodiment is shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B. FIG.4A shows a cross section with mirror symmetry. The tip part 5 comprisesa vision receptor 6 configured to provide an image from light receivedfrom an object to be investigated, such as a human body cavity. Thevision receptor 6 includes a vision sensor 6 a for providing an imagefrom received light, a first lens 6 b, a second lens 6 c, a lens spacer6 d, a printed circuit board 6 e for processing the image from thevision sensor, and a casing 8 b. The lenses 6 b, 6 c are arrangedsuccessively in the casing. The lens spacer 6 d is arranged between thelenses 6 b, 6 c to ensure that the lenses do not abut each other. Thelenses 6 b, 6 c are arranged in front of the vision sensor 6 a. Thelenses 6 b, 6 c are shown with schematic geometry and are chosenaccording to the requirements of the vision sensor 6 a. The visionreceptor 6 may be assembled within the exterior housing 8 of the tippart 5 as described above.

The casing 8 b is a lens barrel preferably made of an opaque, blackmaterial so as to prevent light from ingressing into the vision receptor6. The casing 8 b supports the vision sensor 6 a and substantiallymaintains and fixes the position of the vision sensor 6 a in relation tothe first lens 6 b and to the second lens 6 c. The casing 8 b extendsalong a side of the first lens 6 b and the second lens 6 c, and along anoptical axis 6 a of the lenses 6 b, 6 c.

The exterior housing 8 and the casing 8 b are integrally formed andessentially consist of a light shielding material in the form of ablack, opaque plastic polymer.

The tip part 5 further comprises a first light source 7 a and a secondlight source 7 b (see FIG. 5A) each being a light fibre abutting aninterior surface of the window 9. The second light source 7 b isprovided similarly to the first light source 7 a but on an opposite sideof the vision receptor 6.

The window 9 is made of a transparent rigid polymer material. The window9 comprises a planar exterior surface positioned directly in front ofthe vision receptor 6, the first light source 7 a, and the second lightsource 7 b, so that light received from the investigated object can passthrough the window 9 to the vision sensor 6 a of the vision receptor 6,and so that light emitted from the light sources 7 a, 7 b can passthrough the window 9 to the outside of the tip part 5.

The exterior housing 8 and the window 9 are formed by a two componentmoulding process, so that the exterior housing 8 including the casing 8b consists essentially of the light shielding material and the windowconsists essentially of the transparent material.

The tip part further comprises an interior housing 14 positioned insidethe exterior housing 8. The interior housing 14 does not provide sealingfor the internal parts of the tip part 5. The interior housing 14 mayprovide a simple way of assembling some electronic parts of the tip part5 prior to final assembly of the tip part.

Turning to FIG. 5A, the light shielding casing 8 b comprises a distalcasing end 8 b′ positioned at the distal end 5 b of the tip part 5. Thedistal casing end 8 b′ forms a U-shape positioned between the firstlight source 7 a and the second light source 7 b and the vision receptor6. In particular the distal casing end 8 b′ is positioned between thefirst and second light source zones 9 a, 9 b and the vision receptorzone 9 c, as best seen on FIG. 3A. The U-shaped distal casing end 8 b′extends through the window 9, as best seen in FIG. 3A, so that it isarranged substantially flush with the exterior surface 10 and forms partof the exterior surface 10. The U-shaped distal casing end 8 b′ are thusembedded in the window 9, so as to provide a light shield for preventinginternal reflections in the window 9 reaching the vision receptor 6.

Turning to FIG. 5B, the casing 8 b surround and enclose the first lens 6b and the second lens 6 c. The casing 8 b is made of a light shieldingmaterial to provide a light shield between the vision receptor 6 and thelight sources 7 a, 7 b.

LIST OF REFERENCES

The following is a list of reference numerals used throughout thisspecification.

-   -   1 endoscope    -   2 handle    -   3 insertion tube    -   4 bending section    -   5 tip part    -   5 a proximal end    -   5 b distal end    -   6 vision receptor    -   6 a vision sensor    -   6 b first lens    -   6 c second lens    -   6 d spacer    -   6 e printed circuit board    -   6 a optical axis of vision receptor    -   6 f lens barrel    -   7 a first light source    -   7 b second light source    -   8 exterior housing    -   8 a exterior side wall    -   8 b casing    -   8 b′ distal end of casing    -   8 c front wall    -   9 window    -   9 a first light source zone    -   9 b second light source zone    -   9 c vision receptor zone    -   9 d abutment surface    -   10 exterior surface    -   11 a first optical well    -   11 b second optical well    -   12 first light guide    -   13 tube    -   14 interior housing    -   PD proximal-distal axis

We claim:
 1. A tip part for an endoscope, said tip part comprising: avision receptor having a vision sensor for providing an image fromreceived light, a first lens, and a casing, the casing supporting thefirst lens so that the casing substantially maintains a position of thefirst lens in relation to another lens and/or in relation to the visionsensor; a first light source; an exterior housing formed in one-piecewith the casing and accommodating the vision receptor and the firstlight source; a proximal or back end for connection to other parts ofthe endoscope; a distal or front end for receiving light received fromthe object; and a light shield positioned between the vision receptorand the first light source so as to prevent ingress of stray light fromthe first light source into the vision receptor by optically shieldingthe vision receptor.
 2. The tip part of claim 1, wherein the casingand/or the light shield at least partially surround(s) the visionreceptor.
 3. The tip part of claim 1, wherein the light shield isseparate from the casing.
 4. The tip part of claim 1, wherein the lightshield is a light shielding layer provided on the casing.
 5. The tippart of claim 1, wherein the casing and the light shield are integrallyformed or being in one piece.
 6. The tip part of claim 1, wherein theexterior housing comprises an exterior surface positioned at the distalend of the tip part, wherein a distal end of the light shield isarranged substantially flush with the exterior surface.
 7. The tip partof claim 1, wherein the exterior housing comprises a window comprisingthe exterior surface and being positioned at the distal end of the tippart, the window consisting essentially, potentially being of, atransparent material so that light received from the object can passthrough the window to the vision receptor, and so that light emittedfrom the first light source can pass through the window to the exterior,the exterior surface being positioned at least partly in front of thevision receptor and the first light source.
 8. The tip part of claim 6,wherein the exterior surface is substantially planar, and/or potentiallyhaving no lens effect.
 9. The tip part of claim 6, wherein the exteriorhousing further comprises a side wall extending from the window alongsides of the vision receptor and the first light source, the side walland window being integrally formed or being in one piece.
 10. The tippart of claim 1, wherein the window comprises a first material and theexterior housing comprises, a second material, the second materialdifferent than the first material, the window and exterior housing beingintegrally formed potentially by a two component moulding process. 11.The tip part of claim 1, wherein first lens is a wafer lens.
 12. The tippart of claim 1, wherein the vision receptor comprises a lens stackhaving the first lens and a second lens, the lens stack being positionedinside the casing, the second lens being positioned successively infront of the first lens.
 13. The tip part of claim 1, wherein the casingabuts the vision sensor and the first lens.
 14. The tip part of claim 1,wherein the vision receptor and/or the tip part do(es) not comprise aseparate, and potentially opaque, lens barrel or envelope configured tosupport the first lens or plurality of lenses.
 15. An endoscope,comprising: a tip part according to claim
 1. 16. A tip for an endoscope,comprising: a vision sensor; a first light source; a housing extendingaxially from a proximal end to a distal end and having an exterior wallextending proximally from a front wall, the housing accommodating thevision sensor and the first light source; a casing extending proximallyfrom the front wall, the housing formed in one-piece with the casing;and a window comprising a transparent material and positioned at thedistal end of the housing axially in front of the vision sensor.
 17. Thetip of claim 16, wherein the window is integrally formed with thehousing.
 18. The tip of claim 17, further comprising a light shieldbetween the casing and the first light source.
 19. A method of forming atip part for an endoscope, the method comprising: providing: a visionsensor; a first light source; a housing extending axially from aproximal end to a distal end and having an exterior wall extendingproximally from a front wall; a casing extending proximally from thefront wall, the housing formed in one-piece with the casing; and awindow comprising a transparent material and positioned at the distalend of the housing axially in front of the vision receptor; connectingthe vision sensor and the first light source to a circuit board to forma circuit board assembly; inserting the circuit board assembly into thehousing from the rear until the vision sensor abuts the casing; andbonding the circuit board assembly to the casing.
 20. The method ofclaim 19, further comprising inserting a light guide through the frontwall in front of the first light source; and bonding the light guide tothe housing.